Flagship report
Sustainable Recovery
World Energy Outlook Special Report
Electricity
Modern economies depend on the reliable and affordable delivery of electricity. At the same time, the need to address climate change is driving a dramatic transformation of power systems globally.
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Electricity is the fastest-growing source of final energy demand, and over the next 25 years its growth is set to outpace energy consumption as a whole. The power sector now attracts more investment than oil and gas combined – necessary investments as the generation mix changes and ageing infrastructure is upgraded.
The global electricity supply is also being transformed by the rise of variable renewable sources of generation such as wind and solar PV. While this puts electricity at the forefront of clean-energy transitions, providing access to the nearly 1 billion currently deprived, helping cut air pollution and meet climate goals, these changes will require a new approach to how power systems are designed and how they operate. Otherwise, rising electrification could result in less secure energy systems, underscoring the urgent need for policy action in this critical sector.
The global electricity supply is also being transformed by the rise of variable renewable sources of generation such as wind and solar PV. While this puts electricity at the forefront of clean-energy transitions, providing access to the nearly 1 billion currently deprived, helping cut air pollution and meet climate goals, these changes will require a new approach to how power systems are designed and how they operate. Otherwise, rising electrification could result in less secure energy systems, underscoring the urgent need for policy action in this critical sector.
Last updated May 29, 2020
Key findings
Annual average growth rates of electricity demand in selected regions, 2001-2020
OpenGlobal electricity demand is expected to fall by 5% in 2020
Global electricity demand is expected to fall by 5% in 2020, eight times the reduction in 2009 due to the global financial crisis. A faster recovery would reduce electricity demand by 2%, as all areas of economic activity resume. But wider spread of Covid 19 in Africa, Latin America and other areas of the developing world, and a second wave in autumn in advanced economies, could lead to an even greater decline.
Power sector CO2 emissions in the Sustainable Development Scenario, 2000-2040
OpenPower sector CO2 emissions continue to rise
Power sector emissions increased 2.6% in 2017 and a further 2.5% in 2018, following three years of decline. In contrast, emissions in the Sustainable Development Scenario fall on average 4.1% per year to 2030. The Sustainable Development Scenario also sees emission intensity of electricity falling by 3.4% annually. In 2018, emissions intensity fell by only 1.3% as a result of generation from low-carbon technologies rising 6%, offset by a 2.6% increase in non-abated coal.
Electricity generation by fuel and scenario, 2018-2040
OpenElectricity demand continues to grow
Rising electricity demand was one of the key reasons why global CO2 emissions from the power sector reached a record high in 2018, yet the commercial availability of a diverse suite of low emissions generation technologies also puts electricity at the vanguard of efforts to combat climate change and pollution. In the Stated Policies Scenario, global electricity demand grows at 2.1% per year to 2040, twice the rate of primary energy demand. In the Sustainable Development Scenario electricity plays an even larger role, reaching 31% of final energy consumption.
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Events
28 Jan 2020
IEA Electricity Security workshop
17 Oct 2019
Sixth Annual Expert Workshop: Challenges in Electricity Decarbonisation
1 Oct 2019
Climate Change Expert Group (CCXG) - Global Forum on the Environment and Climate Change
17 Jun 2019
